February Herb Blurb 2023

The Herb Blurb – February 2023

Signs of early spring will begin to appear this month. Snowdrops, crocus, and daffodils will soon be peeking out, and we will experience the crazy weather this season usually brings from artic cold to t-shirt weather.

Time to start planning gardens, freshening up our diets with spring greens, and looking ahead to longer days, warmer weather, and new adventures.

Upcoming Classes!

February classes are sold out. My next public classes are in April. Stay tuned or check https://catalog.botanicgardens.org/default.aspx?q=susan+evans&tagid=&from=01%2F19%2F2023&until=01%2F19%2F2024 for early sign ups.

Fun Things to Do!

Free Days  - https://scfd.org/find-culture/free-days/
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, Lookout Mountain, Golden, Wednesday, 2/1, 10am -5pm
Denver Zoo – Sunday, 2/5, 10am -5pm
Denver Art Museum – Tuesday, 2/14
Denver Botanic Gardens at York St. and Chatfield Farms – Thursday, 2/16
Clyfford Still Museum – Thursday, 2/23

Breckenridge International Snow Sculptures Championships - through February 3. An international contest with artists hand carving amazing sculptures from 25-ton blocks of snow. Free! And with our current temps the sculptures should last into February.  https://www.coloradoskitowns.com/events/international-snow-sculpture-championships/

Snow Goose Festival, Lamar, CO, 2/3 – 2/5. Lots of outdoor activities, tours, talks, and exploring. https://highplainssnowgoose.com/schedule-of-events

Steamboat Winter Carnival, 2/8 -2/12. Ski jumping, contests, ice sculptures, dance parties, and more at this annual event to curb cabin fever.
https://www.steamboatchamber.com/events/annual-events/steamboat-winter-carnival/

Colorado Garden and Home Show, 2/4 -2/12. The big guy downtown with gardens, demonstrations, and everything you need for home improvement.  https://www.coloradogardenfoundation.org/colorado-garden-home-show/

Winter Driving

Have you had an exciting drive on icy/snow-packed roads lately? You will feel so much better if you are prepared for roads that can change from sunbaked and clear to skating rinks in a few hours’ time.

Here are some items you don’t want to be without:

  • A sturdy, preferably long, ice scraper and brush. I also put an old broom in the car.
  • Snow shovel – no room? You can use a dustpan in a pinch.
  • Warm blanket – I keep a wool army blanket in the car in case I get stuck in a road closure jam and need to turn off the car.
  • Warm clothing – I always keep an extra hat, waterproof gloves, scarf, waterproof jacket, extra socks, and snow boots in a grocery bag in the back. This can be so reassuring if you get stranded.
  • A covered receptacle for bladder emergencies.
  • Water and a snack or two is a good idea, especially with kids in the car.
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Cat litter for traction if you get stuck.
  • Working flashlight
  • Keep your gas above a ½ tank, full is better for storm days, and make sure you have good windshield wipers.

After taking a couple of solo cross-country road trips in the winter I can’t tell you how essential these precautions turn out to be.

What I’m Reading & Listening To

What I’m Reading – Living a Committed Life by Lynne Twist, very inspirational, and The Secret Life of Plants – Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird. A re-read, which I still find just as fascinating as the first time I read it. You will never look at your garden or houseplants the same.

What I’m Listening To –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4Yvq-g7_Y  - A great, short, Ted Talk on focus and creativity.

Herb of the Month – Soothing Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has a wonderful lemon/mint scent, is easy to grow in partly shady, moist areas, and is wonderful for teas, salads, syrups, cocktails, and more.

One of my favorite garden herbs, lemon balm has a wonderful lemon/mint scent, is easy to grow in partly shady, moist areas, and is wonderful for teas, salads, syrups, cocktails, and more. Lemon balm is in the mint family, and along with having invasive tendencies in the garden also provides a nice digestive tea. It makes a lovely after-dinner or bedtime drink for fraught nerves, stress, and worry. Or just chilling out. Add this lovely, useful plant to your garden list. Lemon balm can be purchased at any herb store or online. I like Mountain Rose Herbs and Starwest Botanicals for online orders.

"I know now, after fifty years, that the finding/losing, forgetting/remembering, leaving/returning, never stops. The whole of life is about another chance, and while we are alive, till the very end, there is always another chance."

~ Jeanette Winterson

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